Systems, devices, and methods for cyclonic filteration

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to cyclonic air filtering systems for removing fine particles from an air stream. In some embodiments, small diameter cyclonic separators/elements are used to remove fine particles from an airflow where a large number of such elements are assembled together in a compact arrangement. In some embodiments, an air filtration system is presented and can comprise a housing including a plurality of compartments, an air inlet side and an air outlet side. Such a system can further include a plurality of cyclonic filtering arrays each housed in a respective compartment and each comprising an assembly of a plurality of cyclonic elements configured to filter air of an airflow via centrifugal force (i.e., cyclonic separation). The system can include mating means configured such that most, and in some embodiments, all of the airflow flows only through the arrays.

What is currently claimed: 
     
         1 . An air-filter comprising:
 at least one housing configured for placement within an airflow system, each housing including:
 a frame, having a plurality of frame sides; 
 an air inlet side and an air outlet side; 
 a plurality of isolated compartments arranged within the housing; and 
 a plurality of cyclonic filtering arrays, 
   wherein:   at least one array divides a respective compartment into an inlet section and an outlet section,   the air inlet side of the filter includes a plurality of air inlets, each configured to provide an airflow into a respective inlet section of a respective compartment,   the air outlet side of the filter includes a plurality of air outlets, each configured to communicate an airflow out of a respective outlet section of a respective compartment,   and   each array:
 comprises a plurality of organized, attached cyclonic separator elements; 
 is configured to fit within a respective compartment such that an airflow flowing from the inlet section of the compartment to the outlet section of the compartment, flows exclusively by passing from inlets of the cyclonic elements to outlets of the cyclonic elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the housing, the inlet side, the outlet side, and the compartments are configured such that an array can be repeatedly inserted and respectively removed in and from a compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The filter of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein at least one frame, inlet side, or outlet side of the housing is configured to connect with a corresponding side of an adjacently placed housing, such that a plurality of housings can be assembled together to at least one of increase capacity or air flow of the filter. 
     
     
         4 . The filter of  claim 3 , wherein housings are assembled together:
 via fixed or removable attachment, and/or   are configured for stacked or tiled arrangement.   
     
     
         5 . The filter of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of housings are connected such a airflow through each is conducted in parallel. 
     
     
         6 . The filter of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of housings are connected such that air cannot flow through any gaps between them. 
     
     
         7 . The filter of  claim 1 , wherein each array includes an array perimeter which mates with an inside compartment perimeter of a respective compartment. The filter of  claim 7 , wherein an array is configured to mate with a respective compartment via a mating means, 
     
     
         9 . The filter of claim  8 , wherein the mating means comprises at least one of: a seal, a channel arranged on at least one of the inside perimeter of each compartment and each array perimeter, and a guide arranged on the remaining one of each inside perimeter and each array perimeter, wherein each channel is configured to mate with a respective guide. 
     
     
         10 . The filter of any of  claims 1 - 9 , wherein each inlet section of each compartment is configured to receive the airflow from a respective inlet side of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The filter of any of  claims 1 - 10 , wherein each outlet section of each compartment is configured to expel the airflow from a respective outlet side of the housing. 
     
     
         12 . The filter of any of  claims 1 - 11 , wherein the airflow system comprises an HVAC system. 
     
     
         13 . An air-filter comprising:
 at least one housing configured for placement within an airflow of a building airflow system, each housing including:   a frame, having a plurality of frame sides;   an air inlet side and an air outlet side;   a plurality of isolated compartments arranged within the housing; and   a plurality of cyclonic filtering arrays, wherein:   each array:   comprises a plurality of organized, parallel attached cyclonic elements;   is configured to mate with a respective compartment via a mating means; and   the mating means comprises at least one of a seal, a channel arranged on at least one of the inside perimeter of each compartment and each array perimeter, and a guide arranged on the remaining one of each inside perimeter and each array perimeter, wherein each channel is configured to mate with a respective guide.   
     
     
         14 . The filter of  claim 13 , wherein:
 at least one array divides a respective compartment into an inlet section and an outlet section.   
     
     
         15 . The filter of any of  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the air inlet side of the system includes a plurality of air inlets, each configured to provide an airflow into a respective inlet section of a respective compartment. 
     
     
         16 . The filter of any of  claims 13 - 15 , wherein the air outlet side of the system includes a plurality of air outlets, each configured to communicate an airflow out of a respective outlet section of a respective compartment. 
     
     
         17 . The filter of any of  claims 13 - 16 , wherein each array is additionally configured to fit within a respective compartment such that an airflow flowing from the inlet section of the compartment to the outlet section of the compartment, flows exclusively by passing from inlets of the cyclonic elements to outlets of the cyclonic elements. 
     
     
         18 . The filter of any of  claims 13 - 17 , wherein:
 at least one of the housing, the inlet side, the outlet side, and the compartments are configured such that an array can be repeatedly inserted and respectively removed in and from a compartment, and/or   at least one frame, inlet side ;  or outlet side of the housing is configured to connect with a corresponding side of an adjacently placed housing, such that a plurality of housings can be assembled together to at least one of increase capacity or particle filtering size of the filter.   
     
     
         19 . An air-filtration method comprising:
 determining a filtration requirement of an air stream;   providing the air filter of  claim 3 ;   configuring the air-filter by assembling a plurality of housings together to form. the air-filter of  claim 3  so as to meet or exceed the filtration requirement; and   placing the filter in an airflow received from the at least one room.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the filtration requirement comprises at least one of filtration capacity oftbe filter and particle size capture ability.